richardhunter93
SQ5 Cold Start Issues: Failed Injector Warning Signs
Summary of the thread
The conversation centers around cold start issues in a 2013 SQ5, with symptoms of rough running and misfires until the engine warms up. The suspected cause is a failing cold start injector, leading to poor fuel delivery. A similar case with a 2011 S4 revealed that injector cleaning provided only temporary relief, and a full injector replacement was necessary to resolve the issue. The recommendation is to conduct an injector test to confirm the problem and consider replacement to prevent further engine damage.
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4 comment(s)
richardhunter93 (community.author)
Last service was completed at 195000 KM, so these cold start problems are quite recent. My fuel injection issues began about 3 weeks ago. I primarily use premium 98 octane fuel and keep up with regular maintenance. The check engine light occasionally flashes during the hard starting phase but goes off once the engine warms up. Scanner shows P0201 and P0300 codes during cold starts, pointing to potential fuel injector circuit issues and unusual misfires. Glad to hear injector cleaning helped in your case, even temporarily. Given the relatively low cost compared to full replacement, it might be worth trying first. Good to know the full injector replacement resolved your fuel system problems completely.
konstantinmiller5
Thanks for the additional details. Based on the error codes and symptoms, your situation sounds nearly identical to what I experienced with my S4. The P0201 code especially confirms the injector circuit problem I dealt with. Initially, I also hoped injector cleaning would be a long-term fix since the fuel rail and injectors seemed to just need maintenance. The cleaning service cost around 120 Euro and improved cold starts for about 2 weeks before the hard starting issues returned. The flashing check engine light during cold starts matches my experience exactly, it indicates the engine misfires are severe enough to potentially damage the catalytic converter. Since you mentioned using premium fuel and maintaining regular service intervals, contaminated fuel is less likely to be the root cause. In retrospect, while injector cleaning might provide temporary relief, the persistent P0201 code suggests an electrical or mechanical injector failure similar to my case. A proper injector test would confirm if full replacement is needed, but given the matching symptoms and codes, I suspect you will ultimately need the same repair I did. Would recommend getting the injector test done soon, as continuing to run with severe cold start misfires could lead to additional engine damage.
richardhunter93 (community.author)
Based on my odometer reading and the documented error codes, I think you are right about getting a proper injector test done soon. The similarities between our cases are quite striking, especially with the P0201 and P0300 codes during cold starts. I appreciate the detailed breakdown of your repair journey. While the 120 Euro for injector cleaning is tempting as a first step, I realize it might just delay the inevitable full replacement. Since my fuel system issues are causing those worrying morning cold start problems, I would rather fix it properly than risk damage to other components. I will schedule the injector test this week. The total repair cost of 515 Euro you mentioned seems reasonable considering the potential damage from continuing to drive with severe misfires. Better to address the fuel delivery problems now than face bigger repair bills later. Thanks for sharing your experience. The information about how the cleaning vs replacement worked out in your case really helps with my decision making process.
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konstantinmiller5
I had a similar issue with my 2011 S4 last winter and have some experience working on fuel delivery systems. The symptoms you describe match what I encountered, hard starting and engine misfire problems during cold starts. After taking it to the workshop, they ran an injector test which revealed a faulty fuel injector. The fuel rail pressure was inconsistent during startup, causing poor atomization. Initially they tried injector cleaning, but it only helped temporarily. The permanent fix required replacing the defective injector. The total repair came to 515 Euro, including parts, labor and diagnostic testing. Since the replacement, cold starts have been smooth with no more rough running or misfires. To help diagnose your specific case, could you share: Current mileage, Check engine light status, Any error codes from scanner readings, Type of fuel typically used, How long the symptoms have been present With this information, it would be easier to confirm if your issue matches what I experienced and provide more targeted advice about potential solutions.